Carson City-Crystal at Fulton – – Girls Basketball – – Battle of M-57 – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 5, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

In the opening of this video on my “Chuck Krafft” You Tube channel, I suggest that you never know where the Red River Valley will lead you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03AhhNk1M8

In the context of that video, that may be true, but your Bleacher Denizen faced a somewhat more awkward situation on his way to Fulton today as he forgot where US-127 would lead him and ended up in Ithaca before he turned around and got back to Fulton. However, he fortunately made it to this game in time to see the JV game between the Fulton Pirates and the Carson City-Crystal Eagles (hereafter known as CCC to save wear and tear on your Bleacher Denizen’s creaking fingers.)

In the JV girls game, Fulton got off to a 12-5 lead. CCC did not score in the second or third quarter. After three quarters, Fulton was up 32-5. CCC turned the favor around and held Fulton scoreless in the fourth quarter. Fulton won the game by the final score of 32-9.

Addison Bolen led the CCC JVs with 5 points. Maricia TenHave added 3 points. Elise Forist and Karlee McCracken each had 1 point.

Sophia Akin led the victorious Fulton JVs with 12 points. Jaci Canfield and Kaya Canfield each added 8 points. Olivia Leavitt scored 3 points and Destiny Seida added 2 points.

In an earlier game this season, Pirate Coach Zach Baker give me the following information about his players. Avery Walden is a fine rebounder with an accurate three point shot. Madison Bensinger can slash to the basket well; she is also a threat from the three point line. Alyssa Lambert is a strong post presence who can score in the lane. Emily Stinson and Shelby Staley are good scorers, defenders and rebounders in the post. Grace Fitzpatrick provides ball handling and outside shooting.

Eagle Coach Tim Stout provided me with this information about his players earlier this season. Guards Kennedi Stout and Aubrey Hessbrook generally are the leading scorers. Kennedi Stout handles the point most of the time. She is a fine passer, and shooter who can also get to the basket. Earlier this season she set the all-time CCC single game scoring record with 35 points. Aubrey Hessbrook can also slash to the basket or shoot well from the three point line. She is also capable of huge games if she gets on a roll.

Paige Ewalt can score near the basket; she is also a threat from the three point line. Arija Adkins is a tough defender who can play on the perimeter or in the post. Ella Hagerman is a great defender and rebounder in the post; she is also a solid three point shooter if she is left open. Jenna Brown brings a lot of energy to the Eagles and is really good at getting out on the fast break.

The Fulton Pep Band did a fine job leading the crowd in singing the National Anthem!

It is now time to look at the events of this game through the occasionally open eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. Alas, he learned the hard way that making turnovers is great when you are preparing breakfast but most basketball coaches frown on it when you make them during games. Who knew??? The mind boggles.

Fulton wins the opening tap. The Pirates lose a pass out of bounds. CCC misfires on a threeball from the side. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Aubrey Hessbrook is fouled on a twelve footer off the dribble from the side. She makes one of her two free throws to give her Eagles a 1-0 lead with 7:03 to play in the first quarter.

Kennedi Stout steals the ball for the Eagles. Madison Bensinger steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton steps out of bounds. CCC loses a pass out of bounds. Kennedi Stout knocks the ball away from Fulton and Aubrey Hessbrook picks it up for CCC. CCC misses a three pointer from the side. Aubrey Hessbrook pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. CCC misses a layup. Ella Hagerman gets the offensive rebound for CCC. CCC misses a jump shot from the free throw line and fouls on the rebound.

Fulton misses a three point shot and two putbacks. Avery Walden gets an offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a three point attempt from the side. CCC misses a layup. Emily Stinson dives to save Fulton’s possession. The Pirates misfires on a three pointer from the corner. CCC misses a layup. Paige Ewalt gets a putback for CCC. Madison Bensinger passes to Alyssa Lambert, who throws in a threeball from the corner for Fulton to tie the game at 3-3.

Kennedi Stout passes to Paige Ewalt, who hits a layup for CCC to retake the lead. Kennedi Stout steals a Pirate pass and goes coast to coast for a CCC layup. Shelby Staley passes to Emily Stinson, who banks in a five foot shot from the baseline for Fulton. Arija Adkins passes to Kennedi Stout, who makes a three point shot from the wing, is fouled and makes her free throw. With 1:36 to play in the first quarter, CCC has an 11-5 lead.

Fulton misses a ten foot shot from the baseline. Jaci Canfield gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Kennedi Stout blocks a Fulton shot. CCC misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Fulton throws a pass too high and out of bounds. Aubrey Hessbrook passes to Kennedi Stout, who hits a three pointer from the side for CCC. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing at the buzzer.

After one quarter, CCC holds a 14-5 lead.

CCC has the ball to start the second quarter. The Eagles miss a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fulton takes possession. Fulton misses a fifteen foot shot from the side of the lane. Aubrey Hessbrook gets into the lane and is fouled on a six foot scoop shot. Aubrey Hessbrook makes one of her two free throws to give CCC a 15-5 lead with 6:26 remaining in the first half.

Alyssa Lambert is fouled on a six foot scooped shot. She hits one of her two free throws for the Pirates. Aubrey Hessbrook drives and hits a layup for CCC. Fulton misfires on a threeball from the side. Avery Walden gets the offensive rebound for Fulton. Grace Fitzpatrick passes to Jaci Canfield, who hits a jump shot from the free throw line for Fulton to trim the CCC lead to 17-8.

Alyssa Lambert dives and steals the ball for Fulton. The Pirates miss a three point shot from the side. Shelby Staley gets the offensive rebound for Fulton. Aubrey Hessbrook ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow consults its team of cooking experts to give their basketball opinion; the ball is awarded to Fulton. Fulton misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Jaci Canfield gets the offensive rebound for Fulton. Avery Walden is fouled on a sixteen foot shot from the side and hits one of her two free throws to shave the CCC lead to 17-9 with 3:05 to play in the half.

Kennedi Stout is fouled on a coast to coast layup and makes two free throws for CCC. Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. Jaci Canfield hits the floor to to tie up the ball for Fulton. This time, the Possession Arrow consults its fashion team, which ignores Ms. Canfield’s great hustle and awards the ball to CCC. Avery Walden nearly steals the ball for the Pirates, but the Eagles recover. Kennedi Stout drives and hits a layup to push the Eagle lead to 21-9.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and CCC takes possession. Kennedi Stout is fouled and makes both free throws in a one and one opportunity for CCC. With 1:31 remaining in the half, the CCC lead is at 23-9.

Grace Fitzpatrick passes to Jaci Canfield, who hits a jumper from the free throw elbow for Fulton. Aubrey Hessbrook connects on a threeball from the wing for CCC. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Jaci Canfield pulls down the offensive rebound for Fulton. Avery Walden passes to Grace Fitzpatrick, who hits a three pointer from the wing for Fulton. CCC misses a three point shot from the wing. Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. CCC misses a long heave at the buzzer.

CCC takes a 26-14 lead into the locker room at halftime. It is at least even money that CCC will continue to lead when the third quarter starts.

Alyssa Lambert and Jaci Canfield lead the Fulton scoring at halftime with 4 points each.

For CCC, Kennedi Stout has 15 points, Aubrey Hessbrook has 7 points and Paige Ewalt has 4 points.

Fulton inbounds the ball to get the third quarter going. Fulton loses a pass out of bounds. Madison Bensinger steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. CCC misses a layup. Grace Fitzpatrick passes to Madison Bensinger, who throws in a threeball from the side for Fulton. CCC misses a three point shot from the side. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Kennedi Stout drives and hits a layup for CCC; she is fouled on the play. Kennedi Stout hits her free throw to give the Eagles a 29-17 lead with 6:00 remaining in the third quarter.

Fulton misses a jump shot; Abby Warnke grabs the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton turns the ball over. CCC misses a three point shot from the side. Aubrey Hessbrook steals the ball for the Eagles. The Pirates are assessed with a technical foul. Aubrey Hessbrook steps to the line and hits two free throws for CCC. With 4:57 to play in the third quarter, CCC has a 31-17 lead.

CCC inbounds the ball. Aubrey Hessbrook is fouled on a ten foot shot off the dribble from the baseline. She hits one of her two free throws for CCC. Fulton misses a sixteen foot shot from the side. CCC misses a three point shot from the wing. Paige Ewalt gets her hands on a Fulton pass and Aubrey Hessbrook intercepts it for CCC. The Eagles miss a three point shot from the side. The Pirates reciprocate and miss a three point shot from the side. Abby Warnke is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws for Fulton to trim the CCC lead to 32-19 with 3:02 to go in the third quarter.

CCC misses a three pointer from the wing. Abby Warnke passes to Avery Walden, who hits a sixteen foot shot from the wing for Fulton. CCC misses a threeball from the wing. Fulton misses a threeball from the wing. Kaya Canfield gets the long offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. Abby Warnke gets the offensive rebound for Fulton. Fulton misses a jump shot. The rebound goes out of bounds and CCC gets the ball. Aubrey Hessbrook passes to Arija Adkins, who hits a three point shot from the side to give CCC a 35-21 lead.

Fulton misses a ten foot shot from the side. Emily Stinson gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Kennedi Stout knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Ali Salogar passes to Emily Stinson, who hits a ten foot shot from the side for Fulton. CCC misses a three point shot from the corner at the buzzer.

With three quarters in the books, CCC has a 35-23 lead.

CCC has the ball to open the fourth quarter. The Eagles miss a driving layup. Madison Bensinger passes to Grace Fitzpatrick, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Fulton. CCC is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Alyssa Lambert gets the offensive rebound. Aubrey Hessbrook ties the ball up for CCC. The Possession Arrow consults its panel of music experts and decides to give Fulton the ball. Madison Bensinger passes to Alyssa Lambert, who hits a layup, is fouled and makes her free throw to slash the Eagle lead to 35-29 with 6:33 left on the clock.

CCC misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and CCC gets another opportunity. Aubrey Hessbrook drives and hits a layup. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Kennedi Stout drives and hits a layup for CCC. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. CCC is fouled, but misses the first free throw in a one and one opportunity. With 5:32 remaining in the contest, CCC has a 39-29 lead.

Abby Warnke passes to Madison Bensinger, who throws in a threeball from the top of the key to cut the CCC lead to 39-32. Alyssa Lambert pirates the ball for the Pirates. Alyssa Lambert passes to Grace Fitzpatrick, who hits a sixteen foot shot from the side to cut the CCC lead to 39-34.

Aubrey Hessbrook hits an eight foot banked shot from the side for the Eagles. She is fouled on the play and hits her free throw. Kennedi Stout steals the ball and is fouled on a fast break layup. She hits one of her two free throws and CCC has a 43-34 lead with 4:15 to go.

Ella Hagerman gets the offensive rebound for CCC. Kennedi Stout is fouled and hits two free throws for CCC. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Alyssa Lambert hits a putback for the Pirates. Abby Warnke steals the ball for Fulton. Paige Ewalt steals a Pirate pass. CCC misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Fulton misses a three pointer from the side. Abby Warnke gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Avery Walden passes to Alyssa Lambert, who hits a layup for Fulton that cuts the CCC lead to 45-38.

CCC is fouled, but misses two free throws. Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow consults a laundry expert and decides that CCC will get the ball. Kennedi Stout is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for CCC. Alyssa Lambert is fouled on a driving scooped layup and hits one of her two free throws for Fulton. Kennedi Stout is fouled and hits one of her two free throws; with 40.8 seconds to play, CCC has a 47-39 lead.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Avery Walden gets the rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a layup. Kennedi Stout is fouled on the rebound and makes two free throws for CCC. Aubrey Hessbrook knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton gets another possession. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and CCC gets the ball. CCC dribbles out the clock. CCC wins the girls game of the Battle of M-57 by the score of 49-39.

Alyssa Lambert led the Fulton scoring with 12 points. Grace Fitzpatrick chipped in with 8 points. Madison Bensinger scored 6 points. Jaci Canfield and Emily Stinson each added 4 points. Avery Walden put in 3 points. Abby Warnke tallied 2 points.

Kennedi Stout had 29 points for CCC to lead all scorers. Aubrey Hessbrook supported her teammate with 13 points. Paige Ewalt scored 4 points and Arija Adkins added 3 points.

Here is a link to the boys’ game!

https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2022/02/06/carson-city-crystal-at-fulton-boys-basketball-battle-of-m-57-the-bleacher-denizen-february-5-2022-by-chuck-krafft/